Mechanism for manipulating checks in plural-writing machines.



F.. E. QROMPTON. v MECHANISM FOR MANIPULATING CHECKS I N PLURAL WRITINGMACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29.1915.

1,230,871. Patented June 26, 1917.-

5 SHEETS-SHEET' I.

F. E. CROMPTON. MECHANISM FOR MANIPULATING CHECKS m PLURAL WRITING MACHINES.

APucmou man SEPT. 29. 1915..

Patented June 26, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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F. E. CROMPTON.

MECHANISM FOR MANIBULATING CHECKS IN PLURAI. WRITING MACHINES.

7 APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29. I915. 1,230,871

Patented June 26, 1917.

Illulllllll III III IIIIIHIIIIIIII Illullllli V F. E. CROMPTON.

MECHANISM FOR MANIPULATING CHECKS IN PLURAL WRITING MACHINES.

. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1915.

1,230,871 Patenmd June 26, 1917,

5 SHEEIS-SHEET 4.

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F. E. CROMPTON.

MECHANISM FOR MANIPULATING CHECKS IN PL'URAL WRITING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29,1915- Patented June 26, 1917v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

@w/c wvewlioz 13 alto Macias riniTEn STATES PATENT onnion.

FRANK n. CROMPTON,

on NEW YORK, 1v.

OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SIGNATURE COMPANY,

Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.-

MECHANISM FOR MANIPULATING CHECKS IN PLURAL-WRITING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 26, 1917.

Application filed. September 29, 1915. Serial No. 53,194.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK E. CnoMrToN, a citizen of the United States, residin in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and tate of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism for Manipulating Checks in Plural-Writing Machines, of which the following is a full and clear specification.

The object of the present invention is to facilitate the handling of checks in connection with a plural writing machine. The invention is particularly applicable to the type of plural writing machine illustrated in Patents No. 1,008,099, dated November 7th, 1911, and No. 1066115, dated July 1st, 1913, in which a suitable frame supports a bed plate or table upon which checks or other docu ments are supported in writing position and a carriage provided with a monitor handle and a plurality of writing pens is supported above the bed plate or table and connected with the frame by means of pantographic links, so that the several checks or docu ments can be simultaneously inscribed by the operators use of the monitor handle. This type of machine also includes means such as endless chains or belts, preferably under the control of the operator, for feeding the checks or other documents into and out of writing position.

The present invention is an addition or auxiliary mechanism for use in this type of plural writing machines for facilitating the rapid supply of individual checks at the receiving end of the machine and for the removal of the checks in their pre-arranged order at the delivery end of the machine.

In carrying out the object of the present invention I have provided a series of inclined chutes over the receiving end of the writing machine, into which an assistant can rapidly deposit a series of checks in any desired order, said chutes leading to proper positions upon the conveyer which carries them into writing position upon the bed or table. I have also provided a check delivering mechanism consisting of two sets of delivery platforms on to which the signed checks are delivered in two series under the control of a switching device. Each of the series of delivery platforms consists of a plurality of transversely arranged plates which are inclined slightly from the general plane of feed and'so arranged that the highpo'r tion of each plate is adjacent to a low portion of an adjacent plate. Each plate consists of a front and rear portion with a trans verse channel between them to permit the passage of an instrument in the hands of the delivery assistant for gathering the delivered signed checks in pile formation in the same order in which they were fed into the ma chine. In this gathering operation the check from one plate is pushed laterally over its high edge onto the check resting upon the adjacent inclined plate. The rear portions of the delivery plates are preferably formed with inclined walls presented toward the front portions to insure against interference with the advancing movement of the checks.

The switching device which controls the alternate delivery of the two series of signed checks is preferably actuated by the hand operated mechanism of the feeding belts.

In order that my invention may be fully understood I will first describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings and afterward point out the novelty more particularly in the annexed claims.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a plural writing machine having my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the receiving end of the machine on a slightly larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the delivery end of the machine on a larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of part of the switching device;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the switching device;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the partitioned delivery guide;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are detail perspective and sectional views of the upper and lower delivery platforms.

In the accompanying shown only so much of machine as is necessary plication of my invention. The present improvements have nothing to do with the writing and pen carrying devices, so these mechanisms are not illustrated in detail.

The parts of the plural writing machine shown in the drawings, are of the type illustrated in the above-named patents. The machine is composed of a main bed or writ drawings I have a complete writing to illustrate the aping platen 1, mounted upon a suitable framework indicated at 2, and having a side extension 3 at the receiving end. Extending across the bed and side extension are five chain channels 6, in which operate the endless conveyer chains 7, carried by sprocket wheels 8 on operating shaft 9 and the idler sheaves 10. The shaft 9 is journaled in the main frame at the delivery end of the machine while the sheaves 10 are journaled in the outer end of the extension 3. The conveyer chains are provided with paper carrying fingers 14. The chains are moved by a pinion 15 on shaft 9 which meshes with a drive gear 16, carried by crank 17.

The pen carriage 20 is suitably supported above the main bed 1 and movable in all directions thereover. A suitable number of writing pens 25 are operatively mounted upon the carriage 20 under the control of a monitor handle 30. The pens are shown in two series extending transversely across the writing platen.

The checks or documents to be signed are carried across the bed or Writing platen 1, by the conveyer chains and held by suitable instrumentalities, -(not shown) in writing position, a set of checks being moved into writing position and another set delivered from the machine at each complete operation of the conveyer chains.

The mechanism so far as specifically described in connection with the drawings is the same as now commercially used and forms no part of the present invention, excepting as illustrative of a type of machine with which the improved document handling mechanism is employed. The present invention deals with the mechanism for faoilitating the rapid supply of individual checks or documents to the conveyer chains and for the delivery of said documents in proper order after they have been inscribed in the machine.

Mounted upon the extension 3 of the machine bed is a sheet metal frame 35 formed with two transversely arranged series of chutes or pockets 36, 37 of the proper size to receive the individual checks or documents which are to be fed into the machine. "The individual chutes or pockets 36 and 37 are spaced laterally to correspond with the spacing of the conveyer chains 7 The side walls of the chutes or pockets are inclined as shown, particularly in Fig. 3, to facilitate guiding the checks downwardly into position in front of the fingers upon the con veyer chains. In feeding checks the opera-. t0r separates the checks from thepile by hand and deposits them successively in the compartments 36 and 37, with the result that the checks drop in proper position upon the extension 3 in front of the fingers upon the conveyer chains. In the arangement shown two transverse series of checks are simul taneously advanced by the conveyer chains into writing position and after signature are again advanced and delivered from the machine to the mechanism which will now be explained. I

At the delivery end of the machine an in clined plate 50 is supported upon a bracket 51 and a bracket arm 52 adjustably secured at 53 upon a frame extension 54:. The plate 50 supports the lower series of transversely inclined delivery plates or platforms, each one of which consists of a forward portion 60, and a rear portion 61, separated by a transverse channel 62 and having their sheet supportingsurfaces in the same plane which is inclined transversely slightly to the supporting plate 50 and to the general plane of feed of the sheets or documents in their movement from the writing machine. A rear edge 60 of each front portion 60 is bent upwardly slightly adjacent to channel 62 to facilitate the passage of the leading edge of the check or document over the channel on to the rear portion 61. The rear portion 61 has a forwardly inclined flange G1 projecting slightly into the channel 62 to present an inclined surface to the advancing edge of the check passing to it from the portion 60. A guide flange 65 extends longitudinally along the right hand edge of the series of plates of platforms GO-61 to form a check confining ledge for the right hand plate or platform. An overhanging stop flange 66 extends transversely across the lower edge of the series of plates or platforms for arresting the several checks or documents delivered upon the platforms. The vertical longitudinal'flange 70 extends from the high edge of one plate or platform tothe low edge of the adjacent plate or platform and constitutes a longitudinal guide or side face for the plate or platform at its low edge. The series of delivery plates or platforms present in effect, shallow inclined sheet receiving pockets with the high portion of each presented adjacent' to the low portion of an adjacent plate or platform. In constructing the series of delivery plates or platforms they can be made separately and secured in the desired relation upon the supporting plate 50, or they can be made from asingle sheet of metal by properly bending the metal to produce the several features above referred to.

As shown in the drawings, the lower series of these delivery plates orplatforms are made of two separate strips of sheet metal, one

strip being bent to form the transverse se-- 7-5 is an inclined. delivery plate formed with a series of longitudinal partitions 76 to define the several sheet paths for the checks and with a series of slots 77 in its forward edge to permit the free passage of the paper carrying fingers 14 upon the conveyer chains. This delivery plate 7 5-has its forward edge bent slightly to conform slightly to the horizontal plane of the carrying portions of the conveyer chains. The delivery plate 75 is secured upon bracket 51 by means of set screws 80, passing through suitable o enings in the plate 75 into the bracket. he lower edge of delivery plate 75 rests just above the high portions of the lower series of delivery plates or platforms 60, so as to lead checks or documents from the conveyer chains on to the series of delivery plates or platforms.

85 is an inclined plate resting at its lower edge upon the guide flange 65 and the high portions of the lower inclined plates 60, and secured at its forward end to the delivery plate 75 by means of set screws 86. Spacing collars 87 are arranged between plates 75 and 85 to properly position them. This inclined plate 85 carries upon its upper face the upper series of transversely inclined delivery plates or platforms which arev constructed substantially the same as the lower series of such plates or platforms. Each plate or platform comprises a forward portion 90 and a rear portion 91, separated by a transverse channel 92, the forward portion having the upwardly bent rear edge 90 and the rear portion having the forwardly presented inclined wall 91*. A sheet guiding side flange 92 extends longitudinally of the right hand sectional plate or platform, and an end flange 93 overhangs the rear edges of the series of plates or platforms. This upper series of platesor platforms is secured to the plate 85 by any suitable means and its mounting, with reference to the lower series of platforms, is such that the lower series will project sufficiently below the upper series to leave the transverse channel 62 unobstructed for the manual manipulation and piling of the checks delivered upon said lower series of plates or platforms.

A delivery controllin switch for determining whether the chec s will be delivered into the upper or lower series of platforms is shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 6, of the drawing. It consists of a transverse deflecting plate 95, formed adjacent to its rear edge, with openings 96, through which the set screws 80 freely pass. Spacing collars 97 rest between the plate 75 and the plate 95. This connection being a loose one permits the plate 95 to move upon the screws 80, very similar to a hinge joint. Secured to the lower surface of the plate 95, adjacent to its forward end is a transverse rod 98 carrying upon one end an anti-friction roller 99, which operates upon the periphery of a cam 100, secured to'the crank handle 17 so as to rotate therewith. The forward edge of the deflecting plate 95 is curved slightly to rest in recesses 1 of the bed 1, just above the forward edge of delivery plate 75. This forward edge of the plate 95 is slotted to correspond with the path of the sheet conveying fingers of the chains and upon the upper surface of the plate 95, are mounted flanged guide rails 105, corresponding in position with the usual guides extending over the bed of the writing machine. These guides confine the checks against lateral displacement. Each of the guides has a forwardly presented finger 106, pro ecting above the path of the checks to confine the checks against accidental displacement by air drafts, as they are passed from machine to the delivery plate 95. Secured to the under surface of the plate 95 are the guides 110, which are presented above the path of checks on their way to the lower series of platforms and tend to confine the checks adjacent to the surface of delivery plate 75 and prevent their accidental engagement with the forward edge of plate 85.

The operation of the machine, equipped with my improved means for manipulating checks or documents, will be understood from the following explanation.

When the operator, who is'to sign the checks, is in readiness atthe machine, an assistant deposits the checks singly in the series of chutes at the receiving end of the machine. When the proper number of checks have been deposited upon the conveyer chain the operator moves the conveyer by rotating the crank handle 17, with the result that the checks will be presented in writing position. He then inscribes the positioned checks by operating the monitor handle of the writing machine and while this is being performed the assistant places in the receiving chutes another set of checks to be signed. The operator again operates the conveyer with the result that the switching plate 95 is raised to permit the first series of signed checks to pass over delivery plate 75 to a lower series of delivery platforms 60-61, the switching plate being again lowered after one-half revolution of the operating crank handle to deflect the second series of signed checks over the plate 95 into the upper series of delivery platforms 9091. This operation of delivering the signed checks upon the two series of platforms also moves into Writing position, a new set of checks in readiness for signatures. After the signed checks are delivered upon the upper and lower series of plate forms, the delivery assistant gathers the checks, by use of a pencil or other pointed instrument, passing it transversely through the guide channels 62 and 92 to cause the checks to be piled one upon another inthe same order in which they were arranged prior to being fed into the machine. It Will be understood from the description of the delivery plates or platforms that each check is moved over the high portion of its supporting plate or platform and caused to drop upon the check resting in the next platform, and so on, laterally until the checks of .one series of platforms are in a pile at the left hand side of the machine. This operation is continued With the result that a large number of separate checks or other documents are quickly manipulated to facilitate their execution. The mechanism described, not only facilitatest-he rapidity of handling a large number of separate papers, such as individual checks, but it provides for maintaining such checks or documents in any desired prearranged order.

It Will be understood that the checks are moved by the conveying mechanism into and out of Writing position in groups extending transversely of the Writing platen or bed and that each group of checks is delivered into one series of delivery platforms. In the machine shown, the checks are moved in tWo groups of five checks each, requiring the provision of tWo series of delivery platforms of five in each series, but it Will be understood that the number of groups, the number of checks in the groups, and consequent'ly number of series of platforms and number of platforms in each series can be changed to suit particular requirements Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. The combination With a plural Writing machine having .a bed provided with an eX- tension, of conveyer chains spaced laterally With respect to said extension, a frame formed With transversely arranged series of chutes corresponding respectively to said @onveyer chains, means for operating said chains to simultaneously move documents received from said chutes into position to be of documents to be presented to said Writing instrumentalities, and means for feeding said documents from their positions in Which they are arranged by said frame into positions respectively under said Writinginstrumentalities.

FRANK n- CROMPTON.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of latents,

Washington, D. G. 

